CVE-2017-11331 in vorbis-tools
Summary
by MITRE
The wav_open function in oggenc/audio.c in Xiph.Org vorbis-tools 1.4.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory allocation error) via a crafted wav file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11331 resides within the wav_open function located in oggenc/audio.c of the Xiph.Org vorbis-tools version 1.4.0 software suite. This critical flaw represents a denial of service condition that can be exploited by remote attackers through the deliberate crafting of malicious wav files. The vulnerability specifically targets the memory allocation mechanisms within the audio processing pipeline, where the application fails to properly validate input file structures before attempting to process them. The affected software is part of the broader vorbis-tools collection that provides utilities for encoding and decoding audio files using the vorbis audio compression format. When a maliciously crafted wav file is processed by the vulnerable application, the wav_open function attempts to allocate memory resources in a manner that leads to a memory allocation error, effectively causing the application to crash or become unresponsive. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory management flaws, which are commonly classified as CWE-129 and CWE-772 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring any authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any attacker who can deliver a crafted wav file to a vulnerable system. The operational impact extends beyond simple service disruption, as this vulnerability can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios where the availability of audio processing tools is critical for legitimate operations. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer over-read or allocation error pattern where the application does not properly handle malformed input data, leading to resource exhaustion or allocation failures. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where automated audio processing workflows are in place, as a single malicious file can bring down entire processing pipelines.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the wav_open function's failure to validate the structure and size parameters of wav file headers before attempting memory allocation operations. When the function encounters a crafted wav file with malformed or excessively large header values, it proceeds to allocate memory based on these invalid parameters, resulting in either allocation failures or memory corruption. The specific nature of the memory allocation error suggests that the application may attempt to allocate an excessive amount of memory or attempt to allocate memory in a way that violates system constraints. This type of memory management error directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no specialized knowledge beyond the ability to create wav files with specific malformed characteristics, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter audio files from untrusted sources. The application's failure to implement proper bounds checking and input validation creates a direct path for attackers to manipulate the memory allocation process through crafted file content.
The operational implications of CVE-2017-11331 extend far beyond simple service interruption, as it can severely impact the reliability and availability of systems that depend on vorbis-tools for audio processing operations. Organizations using this software in production environments, particularly those involved in content delivery, media processing, or automated audio workflow systems, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The denial of service condition can be leveraged to disrupt legitimate audio processing tasks, potentially causing cascading failures in larger systems that rely on these tools for their operations. In web-based environments or content management systems where users can upload audio files, this vulnerability represents a serious security risk that can be exploited to degrade service availability. The impact is particularly severe in cloud computing environments where audio processing services may be exposed to untrusted input sources, as a single malicious upload can compromise the availability of the entire processing infrastructure. The vulnerability also has implications for automated scanning systems and batch processing workflows that may encounter malicious files during routine operations, potentially causing widespread disruption to legitimate processing tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11331 should focus on immediate software updates and implementation of input validation controls. The most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of vorbis-tools that addresses the memory allocation error in the wav_open function, as provided by the Xiph.Org development team. Organizations should also implement strict input validation measures at the system level, including file format validation and size limitation controls for audio files entering processing pipelines. Network-based mitigations can include implementing content filtering solutions that scan audio files for known malicious patterns or structures before allowing them to be processed by vulnerable applications. Additionally, deployment of intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual memory allocation patterns or denial of service attempts can help identify exploitation attempts. The implementation of sandboxing mechanisms for audio processing tasks can further isolate vulnerable applications from critical system resources, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of vorbis-tools and implement comprehensive monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from accumulating in the software ecosystem, particularly focusing on the validation of input parameters and memory allocation practices in multimedia processing applications.